Sunday, October 01, 2006

Yesterday evening we drove to Jacksonville,FL to spend the night with Chad's parents and this morning we met up with John, Melissa and Kayden Hicks. We all met at Chad's parents church and after the service got out, we headed out to a really neat restaraunt called Clark's Fish Camp which is located on Julington Creek! Shepherd loved the live alligators and lobsters - the entire restaraunt was decorated for Halloween, which made it feel more festive. Chad's parents treated us to excellent seafood (thanks again Dennis and Linda!) and after lunch with his parents and sister, we were off with the Hicks to the Jacksonville beach. We couldn't have been blessed with better weather - not too hot, not too cool! Shepherd and Kayden had a blast but Rauly was exhausted from not getting a nap this morning, so Chad and I took turns holding her. After the beach, we headed off to one of the newer shopping malls in Jacksonville...Melissa and I loved this part of the day! This mall is awesome - they've got Pier 1 Kids, Ann Taylor Loft, Gap, Banana Republic (they've even got a Pottery Barn kids coming!)...you name it - it's there! After we were done shopping, we met up with the boys and ate dinner at Pannera Bread Co. Yummy! Our kids were so tired after such a long fun-filled day that Rauly crashed after being in her car-seat for 2 minutes!! It was SO great to spend the day with our friends and family - the Hicks are so special to us and obviousely so is Chad's parents and sis - we are very grateful that we live just a few hours away from all of them! By the way - Happy 22nd birthday to my brother Jacob - he just got back from celebrating in Las Vegas with our Papa!! :)

Shauri - If I found out I was pregnant anytime soon I think I'd have a panic attack!! There are many different ways to make time for yourself...for some women there's daily exercise in the morning, a nap in the afternoon or a good book in the evening - for me it's the 5 seconds it takes to swallow my birth control pill! :)

I hear ya! After this one, tube tying and vysectomy (sp?) here we come! I may continue the bc pills myself as an added precaution. My mom tells me that she's never seen someone get pregnant as fast as me. I'm thinking that may not be a good thing. :) Triple birth control can't hurt can it? Ha!

What a fun trip! I wish we had some great shopping like that around here! You make traveling with kids sound easy! Right now I worry about getting out of the house for just a few hours with a newborn! SHe can't do anything yet, I can't imagine what it will be like once she's mobile! Any tips?

1.)Just do it - you'll be glad you did! I've been a stay at home mom for nearly 2.5 years now and have learned that one of the best things I can do to lift my spirits on days I'm feeling lonely is just to get out and go to the park, or the mall. 2.) Diaper bag "must-haves" *Infant Tylenol *Children's sunscreen *Spare outfits *individually wrapped travel formula *bandaids/neosporin *hand sanitizer *toys *tissues3.)Purchase one of those cheap, small car-seat strollers! These things are great because they are lightweight so you won't kill your back taking it in and out of your vehicle, plus it has a shelve on the bottom to hold your diaper bag. Someone gave me one of these as a gift, and when I saw it I thought at first that I'd never use it, but it has turned out to be one of my favorite items!